Word Origin & History

avoidance late 14c., "action of emptying," from avoid (q.v.). Sense of "action of dodging" is recorded from c.1600; it also meant "action of making legally invalid," 1620s; "becoming vacant" (of an office, etc.), mid-15c.

Example Sentences for avoidance

And to the class of opposites belong assent and dissent, desire and avoidance.

Pleasure is an object of desire, pain of avoidance; and the absence of pain is to be preferred to pain, but not to pleasure.

There was a pause, and whilst his eyes were upon hers, hers were upon the ground in avoidance of his glance.

Mackenzie determined there was not going to be any avoidance on his part.

For the purpose of all their delays had been compromise, and their hope was the avoidance of bloodshed.

And do you go to him this second time and see what may be done in the matter of avoidance.

To excuse his avoidance of the natural greeting he looked at Gaspare.

But avoidance of the new planes was all the good the train trip did him.

He gets his right to avoid it from the agreement, but the avoidance comes from him.

Much of the world's big mischief is due to the avoidance of a bigger one.